Derry people to have say on age discrimination legislation

Andrew Quinn

Local people will be given an opportunity to share their views on the proposals to extend age discrimination legislation at a special public meeting in Derry’s City Hotel on Tuesday.

The consultation has already begun on policy proposals to extend equality legislation to provide protection for adults and young people aged 16 years and over from discrimination on grounds of age in the provision of goods, facilities and services.

The public meeting to gather local views will take place on Tuesday July 28 at the City Hotel from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Junior Ministers, Jennifer McCann and Michelle McIlveen urged local people to share their views on proposals to extend age discrimination legislation.

The Ministers told the ‘Journal’ why they felt local people should attend the meeting.

Junior Minister, McCann said Stormont remained “committed” to improving age discrimination legislation and explained why she wanted to hear from people from Derry.

“We are working hard to create a fair society for everyone, but inequalities do still exist. We want to ensure people are treated fairly regardless of their age and that is why the Executive’s Programme for Government includes a commitment to extend age discrimination legislation to the provision of goods, facilities and services.”

He added: “Any future legislation would challenge negative stereotypes and ageist behaviour and improve accountability in service provision, and we want people to share their views on these proposals.”

Junior Minister McIlveen said the purpose of the meeting was to help with the eradication of age discrimination and said any new legislation would act as a deterrent.

“The Northern Ireland Executive is committed to protecting people from any form of discrimination on the grounds of age.

“Age discrimination must be completely eradicated and these new proposals represent another important step in the development of our equality legislation.

“We will ensure any new legislation will prohibit harmful or unjustifiable treatment against people over 16 with regard to goods, facilities and services. We encourage anyone with an interest in securing an equal society to attend this meeting and let us know their views.”

Further information about the consultation can be found at http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/age-discrimination-legislation.